Nagpur, India: Indian Railways has reduced the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for train bookings from 120 days to 60 days. This new rule will take effect on November 1, 2024, aligning with the festival of Laxmi Pujan. From then on, passengers will be able to book tickets up to 60 days before their travel date, excluding the day of the journey.

The announcement was made by Sanjay Manocha, Director of Passenger Marketing, who clarified that no changes will be made to the ARP for certain daytime express trains like the Taj Express and Gomti Express, which will continue to have shorter booking windows. The ARP for foreign travelers also remains unchanged at 365 days.

This is not the first time Indian Railways has adjusted the ARP. Over the years, the ARP has fluctuated multiple times, from 30 days to as high as 120 days, with each change accompanied by promises of passenger benefits. However, these changes have often led to confusion, as seen when a switch to LHB coaches disrupted seating arrangements, leaving travelers with issues on certain trains like the Vidarbha Express.

The latest rollback comes in response to findings that a significant portion of reservations—around 21%—made between 61 and 120 days were being canceled, while 5% of passengers neither canceled their bookings nor showed up to travel. This trend, known as "No Shows," influenced the decision to lower the ARP to help improve booking clarity and reduce cancellations.

Railway officials believe that the shorter 60-day window will make it easier for passengers to plan their trips and reduce the hoarding of tickets by ensuring more availability for genuine travelers. Additionally, with a clearer view of demand, the Railways will be better positioned to run special trains during peak seasons.

While Indian Railways claims the change will benefit passengers by reducing cancellations and improving availability, some passenger advocacy groups had previously opposed extending the ARP to 120 days. As the new 60-day policy takes effect, travelers and experts alike will be watching to see if the intended benefits materialize.